Golf

Analysts break down Medinah, home for this week's Ryder Cup By Teddy Greenstein McClatchy Newspapers

CHICAGO — If Medinah were a major-league franchise, it would be the New York Yankees - lots of history, plenty of detractors but enormous respect for its place in the sport.

Step to the first tee of the Rees Jones-toughened layout, and it's more about survival than a relaxing go-round.

"Medinah is a long slog of a golf course, between some enormous trees, and has a couple of very similar par 3s over the water," CBS golf analyst David Feherty said. "It's a good golf course. Personally I don't think that it's great, but the crowds in Chicago will turn that golf course into something special."

Let's break down the Ryder Cup home with three TV analysts - NBC's Mark Rolfing, Golf Channel's Frank Nobilo and Paul Azinger, the victorious 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup captain who works for ESPN.

Other than the driveable par-4 No. 15, which hole will yield the most birdies?

Azinger: The par-5s. (U.S. captain Davis Love III) can control the length of them.

A hole where pars will win:

Nobilo: No. 12. It bends to the players' right.

Rolfing: Definitely 16 - unless you can drive it around the corner. I think the Americans will have a big advantage. For Bubba (Watson) and Phil (Mickelson), they're hitting fades, and Dustin (Johnson's) natural shot is a big draw. But if you don't get the ball far enough around the corner, you're playing a long iron shot into a shallow green.

Azinger: 16. When the green is so far above you, your ball never spins as well.

The toughest par-3:

Nobilo: 13 will play the longest but it's a relatively wide green. If a match gets to 17, players will have four things to worry about: 1) distance. 195 yards. 2) The adjustment to elevation. 3) How much wind is blowing. 4) How much to factor in for adrenaline. If you see someone hole high, he will have hit a great shot.

Rolfing: You could argue 13 or 17, depending on the wind.

Azinger: Guys will have some anxiety on No. 2 because the slightest mis-hit can be embarrassing there. The tendency will be to go long (to avoid Lake Kadijah).

Prettiest hole or spot on the course:

Nobilo: The second shot on No. 12. It's bland off the tee. But that second shot is one you really take time to examine.

Rolfing: I like No. 10 because of the bunkering and shot values. But it's a little noisy because of the road.

Azinger: Any shot that is slightly downhill. I like the tee shot at 9 and the second shot at 1.

What is the best distance for No. 15?

Nobilo: For best ball, I'd want it 320 yards. Push the guys there. For singles or alternate shot, 300 yards max. I do not want to see a long hitter each with 3-wood in best ball. Twenty yards longer for best ball still makes it very, very tempting and will make guys (who lay up) feel they've chickened out. But it will depend on the score (of the match). If you're 1-up or even and have the honor (on the tee), it's such a tough decision.

Rolfing: It's best if to reach it, a player has to hit driver. That means you can't play it at 310 or 315. I'd hate to see it be a 3-wood hole.

Azinger: It's the most strategic hole for the captain. Actually both captains. In best ball, do you want to pair a bomber with a wedge king?

Toughest green to putt:

Nobilo: 13 has some roller-coaster putts.

Rolfing: No. 4 is pretty steep back to front.

Azinger: 12. What a nightmare green that is.

A hole that favors the Americans:

Nobilo: The entire setup does. With (low-cut rough), is that an admission that the Americans are more crooked (off the tee) or just an effort to play to their strength?

Rolfing: Tough to say.

Azinger: Any hole where a European misses the fairway first.

Follow Us

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.